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  1. #1
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    Heading over to Napa...

    My wife and I are heading over to the wine country for a few days. We have an excellent line up of wineries and restaurants for our visit. We do this trip every couple of years.

    Weather will be nice and I'm sure wine and food will be fantastic.
    _______________

    Mike

    Amplification: MBL 6010D, MBL 9008A Monos
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  2. #2
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    Re: Heading over to Napa...

    Sounds like fun. Traveling around Napa/Sonoma can be a lot of fun. My wife and I love that area. We usually always try to make it to Big Sur as well.
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  3. #3

    Re: Heading over to Napa...

    Mike, enjoy, should be a great trip! A friend of mine visited Quintessa and absolutely loved the tour there! Which wineries will you be visiting?


    Allen



  4. #4
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    Re: Heading over to Napa...

    We are looking forward to it Mike. We are flying to Sacramento and driving to Napa. Easy and short drive.
    _______________

    Mike

    Amplification: MBL 6010D, MBL 9008A Monos
    Analog: Kuzma R, Kuzma 4Point (11”), MSL Ultra Eminent EX
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  5. #5
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    Re: Heading over to Napa...

    Quote Originally Posted by socfan12 View Post
    Mike, enjoy, should be a great trip! A friend of mine visited Quintessa and absolutely loved the tour there! Which wineries will you be visiting?
    We've been to Quintessa several times. Excellent wines and a very nice place. Their harvest party in September is fantastic.

    Winery lineup:

    Newton
    Shafer
    Palhmeyer
    Kistler
    Rafanelli (maybe - already in harvest and may not be able to receive us)
    Seghesio
    Jarvis
    Outpost

    Plan to do 2 per day. We feel that in order to really enjoy the visits and the experience, 2 to 3 wineries per day is the max one should schedule.
    _______________

    Mike

    Amplification: MBL 6010D, MBL 9008A Monos
    Analog: Kuzma R, Kuzma 4Point (11”), MSL Ultra Eminent EX
    Phono Pre: Pass XP-27
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    Rack: Artesania Exoteryc

  6. #6

    Re: Heading over to Napa...

    Mike, a great lineup! I love Shafer. Had a case of some older Merlot (yes Merlot) that was more full bodied and tannic than some Cabs I've had.

    No Caymus?


    Allen



  7. #7
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    Re: Heading over to Napa...

    Been there before Allen. We really like the regular cab and their special select.

    We like to visit different wineries.
    _______________

    Mike

    Amplification: MBL 6010D, MBL 9008A Monos
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  8. #8
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    Re: Heading over to Napa...

    Oh, by the way, we like just about all wine varietals including Merlot.

    Yes, this varietal took a beating in the movie Sideways. But, done right it is terrific. Shafer has a very Merlot.
    _______________

    Mike

    Amplification: MBL 6010D, MBL 9008A Monos
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  9. #9
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    Re: Heading over to Napa...

    Enjoy! The little lady and I, used to make a regular thing of wine countries. Of course, it all started with Napa/Sonoma...but then we really took to the Finger Lakes region in NY as well. Done Central Coast, and this past year...Willamette/Walla Walla, in the Pacific Northeast.

    Planning my 4th trip to FL as we speak. Can't grow reds worth a damn there...but they have some nice Rieslings and Gewurzt.
    CD

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  10. #10
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    Re: Heading over to Napa...

    The wife and I have made several trips out to Napa. Always a good time.

    Enjoy!
    Rance


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  11. #11

    Re: Heading over to Napa...

    Quote Originally Posted by Ritmo View Post
    We've been to Quintessa several times. Excellent wines and a very nice place. Their harvest party in September is fantastic.

    Winery lineup:

    Newton
    Shafer
    Palhmeyer
    Kistler
    Rafanelli (maybe - already in harvest and may not be able to receive us)
    Seghesio
    Jarvis
    Outpost

    Plan to do 2 per day. We feel that in order to really enjoy the visits and the experience, 2 to 3 wineries per day is the max one should schedule.
    Yeah, because after more than 2-3 winery visits in a day you will be hammered. Besides, your nose and hand will be worn out from all of the swirling and sniffing.

  12. #12

    Heading over to Napa...

    Mike...enjoy Napa. I've been a few times and every time I go, it plants the seed of wanting to retire there enjoy your time off and the great wine tastings and food
    Cyril
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  13. #13
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    Re: Heading over to Napa...

    Quote Originally Posted by cmalak View Post
    Mike...enjoy Napa. I've been a few times and every time I go, it plants the seed of wanting to retire there enjoy your time off and the great wine tastings and food
    Yeah...me too; until you see, that a little rancher will set you back a cool million
    CD

    DAC/Pre-amp - PSAudio DsJ > Power-amp - > Speakers - PMC TwentyFive 23s

  14. #14

    Re: Heading over to Napa...

    I miss Sonoma county. I lives in Santa Rosa for awhile. Driving home where your neighbors have vineyards in backyard, and you tell the seasons by how high the vines are....heaven. One of the hidden gems to eat at is Martini House in St Helena - I like that area even better than downtown Sonoma.

  15. #15

    Re: Heading over to Napa...

    Quote Originally Posted by CDLehner View Post
    Yeah...me too; until you see, that a little rancher will set you back a cool million
    Chris...I hear ya
    Cyril
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  16. #16
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    Re: Heading over to Napa...

    Quote Originally Posted by Ritmo View Post
    Oh, by the way, we like just about all wine varietals including Merlot.

    Yes, this varietal took a beating in the movie Sideways. But, done right it is terrific. Shafer has a very Merlot.
    +1 - completely agree Mike! Have a fantastic time!
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  17. #17
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    Re: Heading over to Napa...

    Quote Originally Posted by Dpod4 View Post
    I miss Sonoma county. I lives in Santa Rosa for awhile. Driving home where your neighbors have vineyards in backyard, and you tell the seasons by how high the vines are....heaven. One of the hidden gems to eat at is Martini House in St Helena - I like that area even better than downtown Sonoma.
    Nice! I went to the Martini house a few years ago. It closed and it is now under a different name - can't remember right now it but I know we are having dinner one night.
    _______________

    Mike

    Amplification: MBL 6010D, MBL 9008A Monos
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  18. #18
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    Re: Heading over to Napa...

    Mike - are you in Napa? Did you feel the earthquake?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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  19. #19

    Re: Heading over to Napa...

    Mike, not sure if you are on your way now or not, but Napa and Northern Cali just got hit with a 6.0 earthquake.

    Godspeed to everyone out in that area.


    Allen



  20. #20
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    Re: Heading over to Napa...

    We are on our way. Landing in Sacramento in a few hrs. Called our hotel in Calistoga and all is ok there. Affected areas are in the southern part of Napa County.

    I hope no one got hurt and that we don't have a lot of ground shaking this week.

  21. #21
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    Re: Heading over to Napa...

    enjoy the day. Great pinots at Rafanelli often served with dark chocolate. Very small but you really do need reservations in advance. They have a hard time accommodating drop inns. If you get a chance Barndiva in Healdsberg does a great lunch or sunday brunch.

    Nick
    Nick



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  22. #22

    Re: Heading over to Napa...

    I'm about 45 miles south of Napa and it woke me up......it lasted about 20 seconds and was a rolling type similar to the Loma Prieta we had back in 89.
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  23. #23

    Re: Heading over to Napa...

    Jeff, glad to hear you're ok. Read there were places wo power so didn't know you'd be able to respond or not.

    Mike, have a great trip!


    Allen



  24. #24

    Re: Heading over to Napa...

    Quote Originally Posted by socfan12 View Post
    Jeff, glad to hear you're ok. Read there were places wo power so didn't know you'd be able to respond or not.

    Mike, have a great trip!
    No issues here, most of the damage and power outages were centered around Napa......
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  25. #25
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    Re: Heading over to Napa...

    Yep all damage is in Napa proper and the close by areas from the epicenter. So far no deaths, which is always welcome relief. However some of the roads around Napa proper are closed - so check before you drive around.

    Jeff already nailed it - this felt like '89 except shorter duration and at bloody 3:30AM. Just to be safe I ran over to the 1Ks to make sure they weren't swaying. All good.
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  26. #26

    Re: Heading over to Napa...

    That's what my friend in Santa Rosa said too. Mostly power outages and blown power transformers. Looks like from pics that wineries got hit hard as well as buildings in Napa.

    Glad to hear that Jeff and Mike are ok!
    Myles B. Astor, Senior Editor, PF, www.positive-feedback.com
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  27. #27
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    Re: Heading over to Napa...

    Jeff and E glad you guys are ok.

    We got to our hotel in Calistoga around 2 pm yesterday. Getting up here from Sacramento was not bad. Some traffic lights on 29 in Napa were not working and, therefore, we experienced some delays. Some wineries were closed. The local news are reporting damage to some wineries. Also, some historic bldgs in Napa have been heavily damaged. Glad there were no major injuries.

    Weather is great. Look forward to great wine, food and rest.

    Lastly, I hope there are no strong aftershocks.
    _______________

    Mike

    Amplification: MBL 6010D, MBL 9008A Monos
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  28. #28
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    Re: Heading over to Napa...

    Be careful Mike !

    And have a glass for me.
    Mark


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  29. #29

    Re: Heading over to Napa...

    Hello, Ritmo Napa is one of the most beautiful wine towns for the wineries. Enjoy yourselves there.
    Thanks for your impressive lineup.

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